Adam Clague Incandescence

Adam Clague’s masterful understanding of contrast allows him to paint subjects that seem to glow from within

I have a passion for painting the glow Lof backlit fruit. I love painting all subjects, but once I discovered the beautiful effects of backlighting on semitransparent subjects like citrus fruits, I knew I had found a lasting source of inspiration. Backlighting provides great drama and can be a unique departure from traditional frontal lighting. The vivid colors of glowing citrus flesh are a true joy to paint!

I find inspiration for my paintings when I remember to keep my eyes open to the beauty that is all around us. Sometimes beauty can be easy to overlook, but it can be found even in something as mundane as a piece of fruit. After I choose my subject, my next consideration is the lighting. I try setting the subject at all different angles to the light source until I find the angle that gives the effect I desire. In order to make the fruit glow, the light must be placed to the side or behind the fruit so it shines through the semi-transparent pulp. I spend hours moving the items in a still life until I find the most interesting aspects from which to paint them.